Reel/Rod combo for a kid

Guys. I’m looking at getting a new reel/rod for my 11-year-old son. Primarily to be used for trolling bottom bouncers on the river. Last couple of years he’s used one of my rods, but those are 6 1/2 to 7 foot long and just seemed for landing fish they were a little tough to handle for him. Have you guys had any better luck with your kids for this sorta thing by going to a 6 foot rod? If so, any suggestions? I’ll be putting a bait caster reel with braid on it, preferably something easy for a kid to use and durable. Thanks.

If you are looking cheap I would just go with an ugly stick those things can handle anything and the don’t break. I think 6 ft is a fine length I wouldn’t worry about it, the only thing is with a baitcaster don’t have the rod be too light and flimsy if that makes sense.

If you are willing to spend a little more dough a cheap st croix would be great as well.

I am not sure if they make them in baitcasting rods, but you may want to look at some of the rods for women. After going through a few “kids” packages in a year, I bought a “lady angler” rod from GM for my 8 yr old. Rods are a slight bit lighter and have smaller diameter handles for smaller hands. These were normal colored rods not hot pink. Hope this helps.

good tip on Ugly Stik. And I was wondering about the “lady” rods, too. We saw one the other day in GM but it was pink and my son said, “NO WAY, DAD!” heh, heh. I’ll take a closer look, though, and see what else is out there.

I bought my son a pair of 7′ med. action rods with a 2500 series Shimano when he turned 7 years. He will turn 12 in May and he uses the rods as well as a most seasoned adults.

My point is, start him with a decent rod that is suited for the application and he will grow into it. It will just take some time and a few fish under his belt before he gets the hang of it.

My 4 year old has to use whatever rod I am whether it’s a 6’6″ spinning or a 9’6″ trolling rod. Cracks me up, I’ve been seen a few times using the ol’ zebco 33

I have trolled bottom bouncers and deep cranks with a 6′ M action rod. It works, but you have to be in the back of the boat to avoid hitting the prop on sharp turns. I would pick him up a 6′ medium action, moderate tip, and stick a low profile baitcaster on it, something like a diawa strikeforce. They are very small and will fit in his hand very well. Spool it with braid and he will be able to troll long lines with it as long as he is the inside rod.

The best thing you can do with him is to take him out catfishing. Yes, I said catfishing. Take him some place where you will get lots of smaller fish so he can practice landing them. Catfishing is by far the best way to practice landing fish at the boat in my opinion.

Thanks for the reel tip. I’ll check into that.